You tell 'em Steve. I was going to give it a go, but didn't have the time last night. You undoubtedly did it better anyway. Of course, we are all just talking out of our asses anyway, since everybody knows that revealing troop movements and tactics would put the lives of our servicemen in danger. Right?

Until there is some evidence to the contrary, I will remain in the "things are moving at exactly the right pace, or close enough" camp.

Yes, indeed, I've been "wrong" the whole time. I must have missed Saddam's fall, Arafat's fall, the Palestinian reformation, the Iranian government collapse, the conversion of Syria to anti-terror, the destruction of al-Qaeda, and all the other triumphs you cite to "show me," Stephen.

Face it. You have no more justification for your claims than I do, in fact, less: I can point to facts. You only point to what you hope will happen, and try to pass that hope off as facts.

VodkaPundit, thank you! The foaming at the mouth some blogs and blog posters have been doing is about as strategically correct at Hitler's invasion of the USSR. I'll admit though, it is damn entertaining. Some people will not be happy until we have US troops in every capital from Beirut to Tehran.

I'm seeing a number of bloggers reprot friends getting called up, in ones and twos. The call up is on, just quietly and slowly. The NY Times will notice when their reporter in Bagdad answers a knock on the door and it's a polite trooper from the 101st, asking if he needs anything.

Patience is a virgin, as Archie Bunker used to say. I believe that Iraq is the first domino, Iran may be next. Saudi is on the list, but until Iraq is available for bases, we'll make nice to them. I like the measured way things have gone, so far. I hope it means that planning is for the long term, not that confusion is causing delays.

New moon's for Badgdad are around Jan 7 and Feb 6. I bet on Jan 7, because Bush has announced a trip abroad for that week.

Actually, the new moons will be on January 2 and February 1. Blix is supposed to give his report to the U.N. on January 27th. Things will happen quickly after that. Look for the ground war to start in the last couple of days of January.

Yes, Bill -- it takes a lot of courage to stand in the noonday sun and gripe until dusk about lousy view of the moon.

I don't know if you're right VP, but you have been fairly consistent in your opinions all along. A stopped clock may only be right twice a day but a clock with an hour hand that flails around in different directions depending upon its mood is usually always wrong. Hang in there.

Ooh, bitchfight! I've got ten on Vodkaboy.

"... Qualms about the ability of the Bush Administration in such matters should vanish too, but won't.

The Administration's decision concerning UN weapons inspections should be viewed in light of this demonstrated competence ..."

I see good points on both sides. I hope you're right but damn, I'm getting tired of waiting and waiting for something to happen. I'm getting tired of all the sabre rattling and the sucking up to the U.N. and the Saudis. If there has to be a war get it over with already!

Touche! Now, question. Is there a shortage of rude, insufferable, Randian bloggers out there to dialogue with? I need some explanation as to why anyone would decide to sit thru half a dozen popups to put up with the insults and vanity that is Dailypundit.

Hey!,put me down as one of the " people will not be happy until we have US troops in every capital from Beirut to Tehran."

actually, Id expand the borders to morocco to malaysia, but why quibble.

oh - and a 10 spot on the vodka-miester.

Jeezeus Bill, give us time. I know, we've only deposed one nation's government since 9/11, but making these arrangements take time. What are you in such a hurry for? Think we'll lose the rental on the hall if we're not in Baghdad by New Years?

Anyway, Bush just canceled his January trip to Africa, so I suspect something's come up that's going to take up more of his time, knowwhatImean?

Fast is better then soon. If we have to wait for the public stage of the war a little longer so that it will be swift and decisive when it does come, then I say take your time.

That being said, I'm betting troops will hit the sand before the first of Febuary.

I would no longer hazard a guess on when we go into Iraq, but have no doubt that it will happen and when it does will be done in a manner to appear both overwhelming and with as little collateral damage as possible. The 'arab street' will have as little real grist for their mill as they did over Afganistan.

I have hoped several times that indications were for imminent invasion and been disappointed each time. But I have always preferred that we do this RIGHT, and am still confident that that is also the administration view. Say what you will about the appearance of toadying to the UN, but appearances are certainly just as supportive of the US having gotten all it wants or needs from the UN in the Iraqi report of a week or so ago.

The man in the white house said at the start to be prepared for a long war. We have the upper hand militarily and do whether WMD are used by the other side or not. If WMD are used againnst our population, that does not change the militray equation. Fighting each battle in this war decisively and swiftly in execution is preferable than fighting each battle on anyone else's terms but ours just to do so sonner.

Bill is a sweetie but he needs to change his meds, get a job, get some new topics for his blog, or get out more.

Delighted to see you compare Bush's invasion of Iraq to Hitler's invasion of Poland. Birds of a feather.